ThinkTent

In Conversation with… Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP

Mark Littlewood | is the Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs. Since 2009, Mark has overseen the expansion of the IEA’s influence and media profile. Mark appears regularly on TV and Radio, often featuring as a guest on flagship political programmes such as BBC Question Time, Newsnight, Sky News and the Today Programme.Continue reading “In Conversation with… Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP”

Are the Conservatives now the party of high tax and spend

Monday, 4th October 15:15 – 16:15 By the end of this parliament, total government spending is due to be at levels not seen since the 60s. Tax rises are pencilled in and public sector debt levels have been steadily rising since 2008. The picture is bleak. Do the Conservatives still deserve the reputation of fiscalContinue reading “Are the Conservatives now the party of high tax and spend”

TPA Question Time

Sunday 3rd October | 16.00 – 17.00 The BBC’s Question Time may be reluctant to allow a variety of views on their panels – but the TaxPayers’ Alliance isn’t! Join us for a topical discussion with guests from the world of politics and the media – from all across the political spectrum – for aContinue reading “TPA Question Time”

Great British Railways – The future of rail?

Monday, 4th October | 14.00-15.00Hosted by the IEA & RSSB With the Williams-Shapps Review finally concluding and a fresh government plan on the future of the railways, what does the next decade look like? Uncertainty around the long-term impact of the pandemic on business travel and the viability of commuter routes looms large, but whatContinue reading “Great British Railways – The future of rail?”

A safer bet? A conservative approach to gambling regulation

Monday 4th October | 11.30 – 12.30Hosted by As government considers the results of the Gambling Act review and draws up plans for a white paper in the coming months, what should future gambling regulation look like? This panel considers the recent IEA paper ‘A safer bet?’ which examines some proposed changes to UK gamblingContinue reading “A safer bet? A conservative approach to gambling regulation”

UK Free Trade After Brexit: The United States and Beyond

Sunday 4th October | 16.00-17.00Hosted by In the months since Brexit, the British government has moved assertively to demonstrate its commitment to free trade. The U.K. recently announced an agreement in principle for a free trade agreement with Japan, and it has negotiated a wide range of continuity agreements with existing trading partners. But theContinue reading “UK Free Trade After Brexit: The United States and Beyond”

Just how big is the quango state?

Monday, 4th October | 12.45 – 13.45 From public health to parenting, airports to artworks, quangos have a huge hidden role in our lives. Over 300,000 people work in these arms-length bodies. Yet their remit – and accountability – often isn’t subject to enough scrutiny. Can they mean better government by relieving pressures on parliamentContinue reading “Just how big is the quango state?”

Should we save the high street?

Monday 4th October | 10:15 – 11:15 High streets are struggling. Online shopping has rocketed and footfall in shops has plummeted. But should we try to preserve them? Are taxes too high, or should the delivery giants be forced to pay more? How might business rates be reformed to better take account of the economicContinue reading “Should we save the high street?”

Britain Unlimited? 30 ideas for 2030

Monday 5th October | 13:00 – 14:00 As the UK begins to put the conflict and chaos of Brexit and the pandemic behind it, the Free Market Forum has released a new publication “30 ideas for 2030”. Offering a bright, bold, and positive vision for where Britain could be by the end of the decade, join someContinue reading “Britain Unlimited? 30 ideas for 2030”

Boom or Bust: The economy in a post-pandemic world

Sunday 3rd October | 14.45 – 15.45 The state has taken an almost unprecedented level of control over the economy. Wages subsidised, business loans completely underwritten, the bill falling on future taxpayers. How do we grow the economy, create jobs and generate revenue to help cover the cost of coronavirus? Can the rise in homeContinue reading “Boom or Bust: The economy in a post-pandemic world”